Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I know it's the day after, but since I usually post on Wednesdays and Fridays, I thought I would keep it up. How was everyone's day? Filled with the three F's I hope! (Family, Food, and of course Football!)
This year I have so much to be thankful for. Even more than in previous years!
If you have been a reader of this blog for a bit you know that this year was a bit rockier for me. I lost my first "big kid" job in April due to downsizing, and was unemployed for a month. Little did I know that was just the beginning of a very blessed year!
During that month, I was able to edit and work on my first trilogy for eight hours a day. Because of that work, I am able to publish them six months apart! The first was out in August, the second will be out the first Saturday of February, and the last will be out the last week in July/early August! I am so excited to be able to share these stories that I've been working on and held close to my heart for so long with other people. It really means a lot when people say they enjoy them, and look forward to the next in the series!
I got a new job, which because of its location enabled me to become a part of a different NaNoWriMo group, and to offer write in's where I can meet more people.
A little over a month into this job, I met my fiance. He is so different than anyone I've dated before. I had no idea what I had been missing in my life. I wish we had found each other sooner, but we enjoy every minute we have together with laughter and fun. Yes sometimes, it's hard, but our relationship is worth it. And I wouldn't have it any other way. I love my goofy man. :)
I was able to go to two author events, as well as host my first release party! I love getting to know people, and watch them make the decision to buy my book or not. It really is interesting to see them figure it out. I hope to go to more next year too!
And best of all, I've been able to keep this blog going every week, often with two posts! I haven't blogged this much this consistently in a long time. I plan to work hard to continue to do so. I like interacting with other bloggers, and seeing what people want to see.
(Please let me know in the comments down below if you want to see something specific!)
That's all from me, for now! I hope that everyone had a great holiday, and will continue to have a blessed holiday season! Please feel free to let me know how your holiday went, I love reading the comments. :)
Friday, November 27, 2015
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
All about DRAGONS! -WuW
So while I was at NerdCon, waiting for the Patrick Rothfuss signing, I got to talking to the people sitting on either side of me. Like you do when waiting over an hour in line. While we were talking the young gentleman, and I'm so sorry I can't for the life of me remember his name, asked me a very strange (in my mind) question about my writing.
He asked, "How do you handle dragons?"
My first response was to shake my head and ask in return, "What do you mean?" I literally didn't understand his question at first.
He tried to explain, what he meant was how are they portrayed in my world. Are they intelligent, dumb beasts, or ferocious killers that hoard gold and steal maidens?
My answer was very simple, "They are just another character. Each one is different, and each one has their own looks, thoughts, and personalities. Just like the human characters."
It never occurred to me that there was a precedent for how to present dragons, that they had to be one way or another.
To me they play as important a role in the story as their human counterparts. And just like humans, some are "bad" and some are "good"- though I try not to have everything so black and white, but for the sake of discussion I'll reference them.
Take Feoras, the dragon you meet in the first book. (And honestly, he will probably always be my favorite) He is what is known as a traditional "western" style dragon. He has four legs, two horns that curve back over his head, and spikes/spines down his back and tail. He is heavily muscled, and his scales are a deep red over his back and body, with a gold cast to his under belly. His wings are proportionate to his body with a reddish color to the membranes.
But it's his personality that is so striking.
He is fiercely loyal and protective of not only Riona, but anyone he perceives as "his". He will go to great lengths to protect those he cares for, and becomes distraught when forced away from Riona. He thinks, he feels, and he has clear opinions on life and events happening. He even tried to name himself! He is clearly in the "good" camp.
As he should be since he's the protagonists bonded dragon!
Yes I suppose there are some "traditional" aspects to dragons that I included. He does have a "thing" for shiny objects, though he doesn't steal.
He is, in his own words:
"I am fierce, strong. I am fire breather, I am sky hunter, and I am magnificent."
He asked, "How do you handle dragons?"
My first response was to shake my head and ask in return, "What do you mean?" I literally didn't understand his question at first.
He tried to explain, what he meant was how are they portrayed in my world. Are they intelligent, dumb beasts, or ferocious killers that hoard gold and steal maidens?
My answer was very simple, "They are just another character. Each one is different, and each one has their own looks, thoughts, and personalities. Just like the human characters."
It never occurred to me that there was a precedent for how to present dragons, that they had to be one way or another.
To me they play as important a role in the story as their human counterparts. And just like humans, some are "bad" and some are "good"- though I try not to have everything so black and white, but for the sake of discussion I'll reference them.
Take Feoras, the dragon you meet in the first book. (And honestly, he will probably always be my favorite) He is what is known as a traditional "western" style dragon. He has four legs, two horns that curve back over his head, and spikes/spines down his back and tail. He is heavily muscled, and his scales are a deep red over his back and body, with a gold cast to his under belly. His wings are proportionate to his body with a reddish color to the membranes.
But it's his personality that is so striking.
He is fiercely loyal and protective of not only Riona, but anyone he perceives as "his". He will go to great lengths to protect those he cares for, and becomes distraught when forced away from Riona. He thinks, he feels, and he has clear opinions on life and events happening. He even tried to name himself! He is clearly in the "good" camp.
As he should be since he's the protagonists bonded dragon!
Yes I suppose there are some "traditional" aspects to dragons that I included. He does have a "thing" for shiny objects, though he doesn't steal.
He is, in his own words:
"I am fierce, strong. I am fire breather, I am sky hunter, and I am magnificent."
Friday, November 20, 2015
Deleted (Bonus?) Scene SPOILERS!!!
WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS A FEW SPOILERS FROM BOOK 1
Really, if you haven't read the book, this will give some things away..
I think you have been sufficiently warned....
This scene was written in early, when I thought that Damien and Riona would have been paired up. Yes originally they were going to end up together *insert audience gasp*.
I was young, and actually loosely based Damien on someone I was dating at the time. And of course I saw myself as Riona, and wanted them together. *barf* (I was 16 and impressionable)
Thankfully I learned my lesson about putting too much of yourself in the story and created more distance between myself and Riona. Through schooling I learned about plotting and how to create more tension and interest between the characters.
I deleted this scene after I got some major Writer's Block. Going back I realized that this "relationship" was not going to work for the rest of the story, and so it had to go. (This required some new characters to be created, as well as major rewrites of what was already laid down in the book)
But please, enjoy this (not really edited) deleted scene from Through the Mountains.
Really, if you haven't read the book, this will give some things away..
I think you have been sufficiently warned....
This scene was written in early, when I thought that Damien and Riona would have been paired up. Yes originally they were going to end up together *insert audience gasp*.
I was young, and actually loosely based Damien on someone I was dating at the time. And of course I saw myself as Riona, and wanted them together. *barf* (I was 16 and impressionable)
Thankfully I learned my lesson about putting too much of yourself in the story and created more distance between myself and Riona. Through schooling I learned about plotting and how to create more tension and interest between the characters.
I deleted this scene after I got some major Writer's Block. Going back I realized that this "relationship" was not going to work for the rest of the story, and so it had to go. (This required some new characters to be created, as well as major rewrites of what was already laid down in the book)
But please, enjoy this (not really edited) deleted scene from Through the Mountains.
“Is that what
this is about?” he walked around to face her. “You think that Taya is a, a, I
don’t even know what you might think she is, but whatever it is, she’s not,
alright?” she didn’t meet his gaze, she knew that she just couldn’t stand to
see herself reflected in his eyes right then.
“Riona,
look at me.” When she didn’t he added, “Please”.
With
the moon at her back she could see his blue eyes perfectly even without the
help of her flames. There were tears in his eyes that hadn’t been shed, and she
was sorry for causing them. She felt herself falling into his eyes and the flames
that licked at her fingers slowly died away.
“Riona,
I don’t care about some high chiefs daughter. I care about you. I have for a
long time.” His hands on her arms tightened, “I’ve cared for you more than just
our friendship.”
She
tried to turn away, but his hands held her in place. She met his gaze again.
What were they doing? They had to leave in a few hours on a journey that would
probably be full of danger, and here they were talking about feelings? She
didn’t want to be bothered by it.
‘Listen
to him, and your heart Little One.’ If she had been able to, she would have
smacked Feoras for bringing her here where she could be cornered by Damien. She
hadn’t even felt this cornered when she had stayed behind to protect them from
the creatures in the forest.
Damien
let her go and turning away sat on a fallen tree. She could see he had his head
in his hands. “Do you know why in the months after we ran to the mountains, I
hadn’t been around much?”
She
had wondered that, often thinking that it was because he didn’t want to admit
to himself that she was using magic. That and she had been a bit more
preoccupied after Feoras hatched, she really hadn’t thought about much else
other than how to hide a growing dragon.
“No.”
she quietly made her way so that she was sitting next to him. He turned so that
he was facing her.
“I
was doing every odd job and task I could get my hands on to earn more money.
Even trapping in the same mountains we had rode in, the ones that no one else
would attempt. The animals are not as scared of men, and there are more of
them.” He laughed. “But of course you knew that already.”
“Yes,
that’s why I hunted there.”
“Well,
I wasn’t hunting for myself or my family. I was hunting to sell the meat,
hides, and antlers.” He kept twisting his hands in his lap. “I was saving the
money I earned so that I would be able to buy my own plot of land.”
“It
seems like such a stupid idea now, but at the time it felt right.” He looked up
at her again. “The day you and your mother left, I was on my way to see her.”
He paused and momentarily he stopped wringing his hands. “I was coming to ask
her for your hand in marriage. That was why I had Sparrow packed, I was coming
to give it to her as show of how I could provide for you.”
He
stood suddenly and started pacing in front of her.
“I
had known that you weren’t seeing any of the other boys in town, so I knew that
you didn’t have any other offers to consider, and I had hoped that you and your
mother would accept mine.” His fists balled themselves at his sides. “That was
when I saw the huge furrows in the ground, and when I looked around everything
looked as though you had left in a hurry without planning on coming back.”
He
kept his face firmly on the ground he paced on. “I thought something terrible
had happened. I thought you were dead.”
Riona
felt a catch in her own throat at his words. Yes, she supposed it was possible
someone might think that with how they left their home, but they had had to
leave fast. They weren’t safe in the valley. Either the spectral Ryders would
have come for them, or the people in the surrounding areas would have realized
a dragon lived among them and they would try to kill Feoras out of fear.
Suddenly
Damien dropped to his knees in front of her. “I know that we still don’t have
the best of circumstances, but would you marry me?”
The
question hung in the air between them. She could feel the electricity between
them, and she found herself wanting to say yes as she looked into his blue
eyes. Yes, she loved him. Yes, she had cared for him enough to not be running
off with the other boys in town, despite their many attempts for her attention
and affection.
“Damien,
I…” She couldn’t respond. She didn’t know how to begin to tell him everything
that was running through her mind. Instead she closed her eyes and listened to
herself, to her heart. When she opened her eyes after what felt like an
eternity, he was still there his blue eyes locked on her.
She
reached and took his hands in her own. His were cold so she sent some warmth
from her own into his. His eyes registered surprise and she smiled at him. She
genuinely smiled. That was something she hadn’t done in months. He made her
happy. That was all that mattered. She would fly to the moon and back, even
threaten the Ryder that plagued her dreams to protect him.
“Yes.”
It was a simple word but when she said it she felt some of the electricity
between them heighten and she reached for him. His lips found hers and she felt
heat from a different source than her magic.
After
a time they broke off, but she stayed comfortably perched in his arms.
“Damien…”
“Yes.”
“I
do really like this, but I still need to wash off before we leave.”
“Oh,
right.” He stood up so fast she nearly hit the ground before he caught her. “Sorry.”
He mumbled as he set her on her feet.
“It’s
okay.” She stepped back and in the light of the rising sun she saw that just
into the tree line Sparrow grazed with just a halter on. “Where’s your
saddle?”Damien followed her gaze and shrugged.
“When
I saw you two fly off I didn’t have time to properly saddle her up. I just
grabbed her and came after you.” She reached for his hand.
“I’m
glad that you did.” He looked at her, a smile on his face as he pulled her into
himself. For being out in the cold morning, he felt warm to her as his arms
came around her back.
“I
should be getting back to start packing and get the horses ready.” He kissed
the top of her head and started towards Sparrow when Riona coughed politely.
“What
is it?” he looked genuinely confused at her coughing for his attention.
“I
still need help with my laces.” She was nearly knocked to the ground in his
hurry to help her, and she realized just how nimble his fingers were. She
blushed when he worked on the ties that held her pants together at her hip.
Holding them up with her hand to avoid any mishaps she let her corset fall to
the ground after he finished the laces. She still had her shirt on and was
covered.
He
hesitated at the last tie on her pants and left his warm hand on her hip. Once
again heat flared in her, somewhere deeper than where her magic lay, but still
she didn’t want to do that while she
was dirty and on a beach.
He
looked up at her, his blue eyes shining in the dim light. She knew what the
young people did in the barns when their parents weren’t looking. They weren’t
supposed to know, or act like the adults. But when a young girl was in love
with a boy her age, and was promised to a man old enough to be her father,
everyone looked the other way. Even the boys and girls that weren’t to be
married off, they sometimes snuck off into the woods or hay lofts at the
festivals.
She
blushed as she thought of the boys who had tried to get her to go with them.
But she never had. She had only wanted Damien, but Damien had never asked her.
In fact she was almost positive he had never asked any girl to go away with him
either. They had usually spent the
festivals eating by the fire listening to the adults tell stories.
“I,
I think you had better head back now.” He left his hand on her hip as he stood.
Once again looking down on her she could see that there was a flush that had
crept up his neck. “The others will be wondering where you went to.”
He
bent down to kiss her again, she leaning into him. She really didn’t want him
to leave, but they had to start their journey to Erskine. And she really needed
to bathe. He held her tight and when they parted her cheeks felt raw from the
whiskers on his face. Turning he made his way back to Sparrow and with one
backward glance he rode off.
‘Is
he really gone yet?’ she knew that Feoras would be able to tell, she didn’t
trust that he really had left. She felt him reconnect his consciousness to hers
but there was a pause.
‘Yes,
he’s nearly there. Sparrow is a very fast horse for one that is carrying two
beings.’ He seemed impressed that the pregnant mare would be able to carry both
her foal and Damien.
‘Horses
do it all the time.’ She managed to wrestle off the rest of her clothes. It
turned out that holding her clothes on hadn’t been a problem. It was getting
them to come off of her sweaty skin. She carefully laid them out on a tree
hanging over the water and waded in.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
NaNoWriMo Tag!
So maybe I wasn't tagged, but I loved the video that Kristina Horner created on YouTube, and then a favorite blogger of mine, Raychel Rose posted this...So I just had to complete the tag too ;) (Link to Raychel's answers: https://raychelrose.wordpress.com/2015/10/31/the-nanowrimo-tag/ )
1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
This will be my third NaNo, and I've also completed 4 rounds of Camp.
2. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?
I first found out about NaNo my freshman year of college. The college had a meeting about it as they were running their own region (at the time-I don't know if they still do) so a friend of mine went with me to check it out. It sounded like such a great opportunity, but at the time I was working two jobs, I commuted a half hour to and from classes, I owned a horse, and was giving lessons/training other horses. At that time it wasn't right for me, but I never forgot about it! I competed in my first NaNo the November after graduating. :)
3. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?
The title is Across the Sea and Hills, and it will be available on Amazon in February 2016 !!
4. Give us 1 sentence summary of what you're writing this year.
My project for this year follows some of the descendants from my first trilogy while exploring more of the world, and introducing more characters. Also: more magic, more bad guys, and more dragons!
5. What's the best writing advise you've ever been given?
That as the writer you have to show up. Everyday. It doesn't matter if you feel "inspired" or not. I used to only write when the fancy struck me. And I barely got work done. By adopting the NaNo mentality of writing no matter what I have got more done in the past few years than ever before.
You can edit a bad page, you can't edit a blank page.
6. Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?
Not yet! I hope never to have to.
7. What's your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?
Music, nature, reading other works, talking with fellow writers, reading fellow writers blogs and seeing what other people are working on.
8. Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.
The air was fiercer than she remembered the end of the spring cycles being.
9. Why do you love writing?
I love the creativity that goes into it, and how different that is for each person.
I remember sitting in my capstone English class, it was the end of the semester, and realized that each of the 14 people had written two stories. That was 28 completely different, individual, stories. No two stories were the same. I realized then that was what I loved about writing- the individuality of it.
Other than the fun it is to see your imagination come to life on the page, and then have readers love it as much as you do. That is a feeling like no other!
1. How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
This will be my third NaNo, and I've also completed 4 rounds of Camp.
2. How did you first find out about NaNoWriMo?
I first found out about NaNo my freshman year of college. The college had a meeting about it as they were running their own region (at the time-I don't know if they still do) so a friend of mine went with me to check it out. It sounded like such a great opportunity, but at the time I was working two jobs, I commuted a half hour to and from classes, I owned a horse, and was giving lessons/training other horses. At that time it wasn't right for me, but I never forgot about it! I competed in my first NaNo the November after graduating. :)
3. What was the name of the first novel you attempted with NaNo?
The title is Across the Sea and Hills, and it will be available on Amazon in February 2016 !!
4. Give us 1 sentence summary of what you're writing this year.
My project for this year follows some of the descendants from my first trilogy while exploring more of the world, and introducing more characters. Also: more magic, more bad guys, and more dragons!
5. What's the best writing advise you've ever been given?
That as the writer you have to show up. Everyday. It doesn't matter if you feel "inspired" or not. I used to only write when the fancy struck me. And I barely got work done. By adopting the NaNo mentality of writing no matter what I have got more done in the past few years than ever before.
You can edit a bad page, you can't edit a blank page.
6. Did you ever take a year off from NaNo? Why?
Not yet! I hope never to have to.
7. What's your biggest inspiration when figuring out what to write?
Music, nature, reading other works, talking with fellow writers, reading fellow writers blogs and seeing what other people are working on.
8. Read us the first sentence from one of your novels.
The air was fiercer than she remembered the end of the spring cycles being.
9. Why do you love writing?
I love the creativity that goes into it, and how different that is for each person.
I remember sitting in my capstone English class, it was the end of the semester, and realized that each of the 14 people had written two stories. That was 28 completely different, individual, stories. No two stories were the same. I realized then that was what I loved about writing- the individuality of it.
Other than the fun it is to see your imagination come to life on the page, and then have readers love it as much as you do. That is a feeling like no other!
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
The A-Z's of NaNoWriMo- WuW
The A-Z's of the craziness that is NaNoWriMo
A- Aspirin!
B- Beta readers won't know what hit them
C- Caffeine is very necessary
D- Daily doses of inspiration
E- Everyday habit of writing develops
F- Fragments of real life make their way into the story
G- Google becomes your friend for fast research
H- Headaches from staring the computer screen late at night
I- Inspiration abounds
J- Just talk to a veteran for advice
K- Kick off parties are fun ways to meet other writers
L- Limericks may become involved
M- Midnight write ins
N- Nightly word count updates
O- Onomatopoeia
P- Plot bunnies
Q- Quick typing skills are developed (usually)
R- Rush of adrenaline as the deadline looms closer
S- Surge of creative energy
T- Thirst for more when it's done
U- Unbelievable fun
V- Vivacious Vixens are Vexing at times
W- Write In's
X- Xylophones sold at the white elephant fundraiser
Y- Your ideas actually fill an entire novel!
Z- Zany plot twists
A- Aspirin!
B- Beta readers won't know what hit them
C- Caffeine is very necessary
D- Daily doses of inspiration
E- Everyday habit of writing develops
F- Fragments of real life make their way into the story
G- Google becomes your friend for fast research
H- Headaches from staring the computer screen late at night
I- Inspiration abounds
J- Just talk to a veteran for advice
K- Kick off parties are fun ways to meet other writers
L- Limericks may become involved
M- Midnight write ins
N- Nightly word count updates
O- Onomatopoeia
P- Plot bunnies
Q- Quick typing skills are developed (usually)
R- Rush of adrenaline as the deadline looms closer
S- Surge of creative energy
T- Thirst for more when it's done
U- Unbelievable fun
V- Vivacious Vixens are Vexing at times
W- Write In's
X- Xylophones sold at the white elephant fundraiser
Y- Your ideas actually fill an entire novel!
Z- Zany plot twists
Monday, November 9, 2015
South East Wisconsin Festival of Books!
On Saturday November 7th I had the opportunity to have a table at the South East Wisconsin Festival of books from 12:30 to 4pm.
Overall I really enjoyed it. I met several fellow authors that were extremely nice, and we had a good time keeping boredom at bay together. It was a pleasant experience, and I plan on participating again next year if they will host the Writers Marketplace again. One thing that really got me was seeing my name up on the announcer board with all the other authors. It felt very official, like I was a "real" author, that I belonged there too.
I didn't really have a reaction when I got the first proof copy of my first book. But for some reason seeing my name on a name tag that said "Author" and having a table sign with my name and my book title, brought it all home for me. I did get a bit teary eyed, and it was somewhat emotional for me. I felt like I was making strides in becoming a full time author.
The bookmarks that I had specially made for the event were a HUGE hit. (apparently people like free stuff...who knew?) And they helped to bring traffic my way, now if only the ten people who took one will order my book online! I did sell a few there, and traded one for another author's book with the understanding we'd write a review for each other.
A few things that I learned, or that hit me hard in a negative way:
Some people just want free stuff, and aren't willing to give you the time of day.
People judge a book by it's cover...HARD. I had one older woman walk by and make a face like she smelled road kill. "I don't read fantasy." she sniffed one more time and walked away. (Needless to say, I was miffed) ON the upside, it means that my artist did a great job conveying that it is a fantasy book.
Having a table cloth and displays attract people. I didn't even think to bring anything to decorate my table with! (oops) I blame it on being too busy with NaNo to think about much else.
Too many people want YA...Oy Vey I can't even count the times I was asked if it was YA...And no, it is NOT. If anything it would be New Adult Fantasy as the characters are older.
Bring candy, everyone loves candy.
I need more books. Having this giant table and only one book to spread across it looked weird. (I did have multiple copies-of course- and spread them out for display) If I had the second in the series and the novella published it would have looked better.
Having my proof copy with me was a great talking piece. When I was trying to sell the book I was able to say that the second one will be out the first weekend in February, which got a lot of interest. Apparently people are like me and hate waiting for the next installment.
Okay, time to get back to writing for NaNoWriMo, I hope everyone else had a great weekend, and keep writing my friends! ;)
Overall I really enjoyed it. I met several fellow authors that were extremely nice, and we had a good time keeping boredom at bay together. It was a pleasant experience, and I plan on participating again next year if they will host the Writers Marketplace again. One thing that really got me was seeing my name up on the announcer board with all the other authors. It felt very official, like I was a "real" author, that I belonged there too.
I didn't really have a reaction when I got the first proof copy of my first book. But for some reason seeing my name on a name tag that said "Author" and having a table sign with my name and my book title, brought it all home for me. I did get a bit teary eyed, and it was somewhat emotional for me. I felt like I was making strides in becoming a full time author.
The bookmarks that I had specially made for the event were a HUGE hit. (apparently people like free stuff...who knew?) And they helped to bring traffic my way, now if only the ten people who took one will order my book online! I did sell a few there, and traded one for another author's book with the understanding we'd write a review for each other.
A few things that I learned, or that hit me hard in a negative way:
Some people just want free stuff, and aren't willing to give you the time of day.
People judge a book by it's cover...HARD. I had one older woman walk by and make a face like she smelled road kill. "I don't read fantasy." she sniffed one more time and walked away. (Needless to say, I was miffed) ON the upside, it means that my artist did a great job conveying that it is a fantasy book.
Having a table cloth and displays attract people. I didn't even think to bring anything to decorate my table with! (oops) I blame it on being too busy with NaNo to think about much else.
Too many people want YA...Oy Vey I can't even count the times I was asked if it was YA...And no, it is NOT. If anything it would be New Adult Fantasy as the characters are older.
Bring candy, everyone loves candy.
I need more books. Having this giant table and only one book to spread across it looked weird. (I did have multiple copies-of course- and spread them out for display) If I had the second in the series and the novella published it would have looked better.
Having my proof copy with me was a great talking piece. When I was trying to sell the book I was able to say that the second one will be out the first weekend in February, which got a lot of interest. Apparently people are like me and hate waiting for the next installment.
Okay, time to get back to writing for NaNoWriMo, I hope everyone else had a great weekend, and keep writing my friends! ;)
Friday, November 6, 2015
Eureka! ...or not..?
When do story ideas happen? But a more interesting question is, How do they happen?
Is there a flash of recognition? An image burned in your retina so sharp you must write? Or like a photograph, does it have to be developed slowly? Or is it a polaroid, the images coming quickly to the surface?
Oftentimes, the answer is Yes.
No two story ideas come in the exact same way to the writers mind. Even ideas for the same story will be reached differently. Take me as an example. There will be times when I'll get what I refer to as a "flash". It could be a name, a place, a dialogue line, anything really. And it's quick. So I rush to find a pen and paper, or reach for the notepad on my phone. I know this flash will be gone soon, and I need to try to capture it before it's gone.
And then other times, I will sit and let my back brain percolate over an idea for a while. In this instance, the characters, plot points, and any world building come slowly. Like moss creeping over stones. But they do arrive, maybe with some teasing them out from me.
One of my favorite quotes about writing is this:
The water does not flow if the tap is not turned on.
Writers have to show up, and start working. No matter if you feel inspired or not. So don't get down on yourself if you're stuck, or you think inspiration and ideas happen in a flash. Some do, and some don't.
Sorry this post is shorter...but NANAOWRIMO is upon us!!
Happy writing my friends ;)
Is there a flash of recognition? An image burned in your retina so sharp you must write? Or like a photograph, does it have to be developed slowly? Or is it a polaroid, the images coming quickly to the surface?
Oftentimes, the answer is Yes.
No two story ideas come in the exact same way to the writers mind. Even ideas for the same story will be reached differently. Take me as an example. There will be times when I'll get what I refer to as a "flash". It could be a name, a place, a dialogue line, anything really. And it's quick. So I rush to find a pen and paper, or reach for the notepad on my phone. I know this flash will be gone soon, and I need to try to capture it before it's gone.
And then other times, I will sit and let my back brain percolate over an idea for a while. In this instance, the characters, plot points, and any world building come slowly. Like moss creeping over stones. But they do arrive, maybe with some teasing them out from me.
One of my favorite quotes about writing is this:
The water does not flow if the tap is not turned on.
Writers have to show up, and start working. No matter if you feel inspired or not. So don't get down on yourself if you're stuck, or you think inspiration and ideas happen in a flash. Some do, and some don't.
Sorry this post is shorter...but NANAOWRIMO is upon us!!
Happy writing my friends ;)
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Why I started Blogging- WuW
How is NaNoWriMo going for everyone? Good I hope!
Is it currently day four and I am a little behind where I want to be. I have 5,301 words, and will be doing some more writing as soon as I post this. If you want to follow or add me on the NaNo site, my user name is mandrews25 :)
Today I wanted to talk a little about why I chose to blog, and why I chose to continue to do so after starting it.
Initially this blog started during college, well, for a college class to be honest. My very first post can be seen here: http://malindaandrews.blogspot.com/2012/09/scene-from-current-project.html
This class focused on the literary form that is a Zine. For those of you that don't know, a Zine is ,according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject".
Now, I agree with the opening, and ending, but I do not agree with the "Professional writers". What I think they meant by the term "professional" is that the people making Zines are usually every day people like you and me. If we happen to sell them, great, but they are not usually made for profit. Typically they are hand made, and only a few exist of each version. Now of course there are exceptions, this a generalization of the form of writing for the purpose of introducing the topic.
During the class we were to basically produce a Zine every two weeks. We focused on themes for each one, which will be reflected in the blog posts on this site during that time. The professor also instructed us to start a blog, using whichever server you chose, and that we were to post 3 times a week. Sometimes we would be assigned something specific to write about, and sometimes we simply had to post anything. He wanted us to experiment not only with Zine writing, but other alternative forms of writing/communication including blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and Zine's. This was really where I first came across the concept of self publishing.
The class was great and I learned a ton about writing, editing, publishing, and collaborating. The community in that room was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But after it ended, and I was looking into building up my online presence as an author, both for traditional and self publishing, I decided to keep the blog.
I revamped the look way back 2012 after the class ended, and started try to post regularly. At times that was an epic fail, but I was learning about myself and my writing process. There are a few random topics, simply because I was trying to post often. But most of my posts revolve around my life as a writer- with all it's ups and downs.
Recently I revamped the background again, and with some help from my writing/editing buddy, placed some tabs at the top so that it functions more as a website than just a blog. I really like how long I've been able to continue blogging, and look forward to where I am headed.
And OF course, keeping you all updated along the way ;)
Until next time, keep writing my friends!
Is it currently day four and I am a little behind where I want to be. I have 5,301 words, and will be doing some more writing as soon as I post this. If you want to follow or add me on the NaNo site, my user name is mandrews25 :)
Today I wanted to talk a little about why I chose to blog, and why I chose to continue to do so after starting it.
Initially this blog started during college, well, for a college class to be honest. My very first post can be seen here: http://malindaandrews.blogspot.com/2012/09/scene-from-current-project.html
This class focused on the literary form that is a Zine. For those of you that don't know, a Zine is ,according to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, "a small magazine that is written by people who are not professional writers and that usually has stories about a particular subject".
Now, I agree with the opening, and ending, but I do not agree with the "Professional writers". What I think they meant by the term "professional" is that the people making Zines are usually every day people like you and me. If we happen to sell them, great, but they are not usually made for profit. Typically they are hand made, and only a few exist of each version. Now of course there are exceptions, this a generalization of the form of writing for the purpose of introducing the topic.
During the class we were to basically produce a Zine every two weeks. We focused on themes for each one, which will be reflected in the blog posts on this site during that time. The professor also instructed us to start a blog, using whichever server you chose, and that we were to post 3 times a week. Sometimes we would be assigned something specific to write about, and sometimes we simply had to post anything. He wanted us to experiment not only with Zine writing, but other alternative forms of writing/communication including blogging, vlogging, podcasts, and Zine's. This was really where I first came across the concept of self publishing.
The class was great and I learned a ton about writing, editing, publishing, and collaborating. The community in that room was fantastic, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. But after it ended, and I was looking into building up my online presence as an author, both for traditional and self publishing, I decided to keep the blog.
I revamped the look way back 2012 after the class ended, and started try to post regularly. At times that was an epic fail, but I was learning about myself and my writing process. There are a few random topics, simply because I was trying to post often. But most of my posts revolve around my life as a writer- with all it's ups and downs.
Recently I revamped the background again, and with some help from my writing/editing buddy, placed some tabs at the top so that it functions more as a website than just a blog. I really like how long I've been able to continue blogging, and look forward to where I am headed.
And OF course, keeping you all updated along the way ;)
Until next time, keep writing my friends!
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